The Senate has suspended the confirmation of Kingsley Udeh, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, as a ministerial nominee due to the absence of a mandatory security clearance.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced that the confirmation cannot proceed without the required security report.
The Senate requires a security clearance report before proceeding with Udeh’s confirmation.
President Bola Tinubu nominated Udeh, from Enugu State, to replace Uche Nnaji, who resigned as Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology amid controversy over his academic credentials.
Akpabio emphasized that the Senate won’t wait indefinitely for documents, stating, “I don’t even have any intention of waiting for anybody because after screening them, you don’t see them again.”
Senator Abdul Ningi cautioned against compromising procedures, saying, “This is an institution… You can’t wait for the nominee because he’s coming with a security clearance letter. No, that’s not done.”
The Senate has moved to a closed-door session to discuss national issues after suspending the confirmation process.